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Home , Second Boer War

FARNDON DURING THE FIRST

Remembering the Men of Farndon

Lieutenant Godfrey OWEN Resident of Ladysmith, South African Mounted Rifles (attached to the Royal Irish Regiment) Died 30 Oct 1918 Aged 36 (Recorded on the Farndon )

and his brothers,

Lieutenant Arthur OWEN Imperial Served in the Boer War 1900-1902 Burma 1902-1905 Died of Fever, Kalewa, Upper Burma, 5 August 1905 Aged 26

Captain Oliver OWEN 9th Battalion Argyll Sutherlands 1915-1918 Survived (died 1961) Land Agent, Bedale, Yorkshire

Lieutenant Christopher OWEN Formerly 2008 Corporal Ceylon Rifles Severely wounded, survived. Tea planter in

Godfrey Owen was born in Farndon on 30 November 1885, the second son of Lewis Edward and Alice (nee Carrow) Owen. Lewis Owen came from a strong Anglican family in Devon, where his father Lewis Welch Owen was Canon of Wonstan Rectory, Hampshire. His brothers were also clergymen, Donald of St Marks, Colchester and older brother George, rector for many years at St Mary’s in Tiverton in Devon.

Born in 1843 , in Colchester in Essex, Lewis Edward Owen was educated at Exeter College, Oxford and his first curacy was at Chilton Foliat, Berkshire from 1867-71, before moving to East Woodhay, Hampshire for the next seven years. He was thirty-five when he preached for the first time in Farndon Church on Friday evening 12 April 1878, but he was not inducted until 17 April. During the three decades he spent in Farndon he was also tutor for a time to the children of the Duke of Westminster at nearby Eaton Hall. His wife was Alice Carrow, from Pembrokeshire in South West Wales, thirteen years his junior, and their first child, Robert Arthur Owen, was born the following year and baptised in St. Chad’s Farndon on 13 April 1879.

By 1891, Robert had been packed off to boarding school in with his younger brother Godfrey Felix, who had been born in 1882. They attended the Stratheden School in St. John’s Park, Greenwich, where the Headmaster was their uncle, John Carrow, younger brother of their mother. The ages of the pupils ranged from eight to fourteen, and Godfrey was the youngest.

Meanwhile, at home, two more brothers were born, Christopher in 1887 and Oliver Aldridge in 1890, plus a daughter, Una May, in 1893. When the boys were of age they Reverend Lewis Edward Owen were also despatched to Stratheden, although ‘Uncle John’ had 1843-1909 retired by 1901 while they were still there. Rector of St. Chads, Farndon 1879-1909 In April 1899, tragedy hit the family when the Owen’s only daughter, Una, died. The local press reported on their bereavement,

FARNDON NEWS - THE RECTOR'S SAD LOSS

Very extensive sympathy has been shewn to the Rector and Mrs. Owen on the loss of their only daughter. The little girl was buried on the 1st May, under the shadow of the old church she loved to worship. Her coffin, which was entirely white, was carried by the churchwardens and sidesmen, preceded by six little girls dressed in white and carrying flowers, and followed by a large company of mourners. The path leading from the front gate to the porch was lined with school children, and the church was full of sympathising friends. The Rev. Wilfred Sparling, vicar of Upton, assisted by the Rev. Arthur Sloman, of Kingslee, performed the service. The 39th Psalm was sung by the choir, also hymn 265, ‘Thy way, not mine, O Lord,' and before the blessing at the graveside, the school children sang most sweetly the hymn for the burial of a child, 402, ‘Tender Shepherd Thou hast stilled now Thy little lamb's brief weeping.' The wreaths and bunches of flowers were most numerous, from the magnificent hothouse wreath down to the humble bouquet of primroses. Chester Courant, 3 May 1899

Brief ancestry tree of the Owen family

Census 1851 The family of Lewis Welsh Owen, Colchester

Census 1881 The Vicarage, Farndon

Census 1891 The Rectory, Farndon

Census 1901 The Rectory, Farndon

Church Lane / St, Chad ’s, Farndon 1905

Farndon c.1895 (The Vicarage - bottom right, now demolished, replaced by modern housing)

Modern map of Farndon and surrounding area

Stratheden House School St John’s Park Road , Blackheath, Greenwich

1891 Census - Stratheden House School Robert Arthur Owen aged 12 and his younger brother Godfrey Felix Owen aged 8.

On 11 October 1899, Great Britain was again at war with South Africa in the Second Boer War. At least five Farndon men enlisted, plus Thomas Gerrard of Clutton; Gilbert and Robert Parry (two sons of the churchwarden); R. Thelwell, son of Doctor Thelwell; and Robert Arthur Owen, son of the Rector, now aged twenty.

SEND OFF AT FARNDON Farndon, small village though it be, is contributing five men to the Force. They include two sons of Mr. Gilbert Parry, and one each of Dr. Thelwell, and the vicar (the Rev. L. E. Owen). They left for Chester yesterday (Friday), and had an enthusiastic send-off. All the villagers turned out and cheered them, and a brass band accompanied them a considerable distance playing suitable airs. Cheshire Observer, 1

Robert Arthur Owen

They sailed for South Africa from Liverpool on the s.s.Lake Erie on 31 - in fact, for this Elder Dempster vessel, the passage to Capetown as a troopship was her maiden voyage and she continued in this role until the end of the war. In April of the same year, Rowland Ince from the village also left for the same destination. George Edge also enlisted.

Robert Owen was posted as a Trooper in The Imperial Yeomanry, which was a British volunteer regiment that mainly saw action during this war (as it was disbanded in 1908 before the First World War). Officially created on 24 December 1899, the regiment was based on members of standing Yeomanry regiments, but also contained a large contingent of middle or upper class English volunteers. In , 120 men were recruited in February 1900. The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of approximately 115 men each. Although there were strict requirements, many volunteers were accepted with substandard horsemanship or marksmanship; however, they had significant time to train while awaiting transport.

Robert wrote home in April to the local squire, Harry Barnston, which he forwarded to the local press in Chester, MORE NEWS FROM THE YEOMANRY

Mr. Harry Barnston, of Crewe Hill, Farndon, has received an interesting letter from an officer of the Cheshire Yeomanry, dated Upington Gordonia, British Bechuanaland, April 20th. In the course of his communication the writer says “Poor Robert Owen! We were all - men and officers - intensely sorry to part with him at Karee Kloof; he had been ill, and was not fit to march, so Lord Arthur (Grosvenor/Westminster) left him in of ten men who were garrisoning the place. Beaumont, his section officer, said he could least afford to part with him of the whole of his section, and everybody said he was a good fellow.".....

The two Parrys and Thelwell, are among the few who are as sound now as when they left England, for nearly all have been down with some disease or other, and they are getting on splendidly. How I wish you were here to see what absolute brutes our subject farmers are; they are 95 per cent. Dutch, and hate Britain like poison. In the last 150 miles we have come we have met but two Englishmen. They tell of brutal treatment at the hands of the Dutch, of how from the and have for years come into the Colony at intervals and made raids. There used to be English here, but, robbed and raided, they have appealed to the Government in vain, and, disgusted, with the way Britain has treated the Colony, they have left it. The few English farmers we have met out here, every single one, tell the same tale of Transvaal raids, of the brutality of the Dutchmen, and the extraordinary inactivity and shortsightedness of the British Government. They say the Cape Government is a pure farce. English settlers out here admire Sir A. Milner, and say he and Joe Chamberlain are the heroes of the hour. Hundreds of our own colonists are under arms now and trying to kill and have killed British soldiers, and yet they come and lay down their arms and are given back their farms with a slap on the back and a promise to be a good boy by order of Government."

Englishmen here say this is suicidal and are all rabid with anger. I wish you were here to convey to England on your eloquent tongue the state of things in the Colony. This is a glorious spot, and our quarters standing above the banks of the river, rival Margate and Ramsgate; there is bathing in water (80 per cent. of mud), one boat, fishing ad lib.

The major says he is going to give us a fish dinner to-night, and has prepared a fly from chicken feathers, but we don't countermand the rest of dinner all the same. Billiards, too, are another of our occupations between trench digging. Yesterday, the championship of the company was solved with a precious side of bacon to the winner. On Monday we played the Australians at cricket, but were defeated by 27 runs, our adversaries being more accustomed to sand and cocoanut matting than we from grassy Cheshire. Chester Courant, 30

In June of 1901, the men from the village who had sailed away to fight in the Boer War in 1900 returned safely, and after a special reception at the Town Hall in Chester, a service of thanksgiving was held at St Chad’s, led by the Reverend Owen who son had also come through safely, and was attended by 450 people.

HOMECOMING OF THE YEOMANRY WARM WELCOME AT FARNDON

After the grand reception of the 21st and 22nd Companies of the Cheshire Yeomanry at Chester, inclusive of the splendid banquet given to them in the Town Hall, the six gentlemen who belonged to Farndon had even a warmer welcome from the inhabitants of their own village. The names of the men who have served in South Africa are Lance-Corporal R. A. Owen, Privates Gilbert and Robert Parry, Robert Thelwall, George Edge, 77th, and Roland Ince, 38th Company of Lancashire Yeomanry (who had been wounded and was a prisoner of war). They drove in a wagonette and pair, and were escorted by a squad of the Eaton Troop, mounted and in full uniform.

At Churton, the troops were met by the Farndon Brass Band, the Shepherds' Club in gala attire, and a host of friends and relations. Here the horses were taken out and ropes attached to the carriage. When the procession reached the village the enthusiasm was tremendous such handshaking and congratulations, such cheers and shouts, such smiles and good humour have never been witnessed before. Each soldier was driven, or rather taken, in the carriage to his home, when more speeches and more cheers followed. The village was decorated with flags and mottoes, and the inhabitants vied with one another to welcome their gallant friends. At eight p.m. the Rector held a thanksgiving service in the church, which was attended by over 400 people. Appropriate hymns and psalms were sung and suitable thanksgiving prayers said, but no sermon or address. A strong committee had been formed, and a large sum of money collected to make a memorial present to each of the men who have served in the war, and also to have a grand entertainment and presentation. Cheshire Observer, 22

THE FARNDON YEOMEN INTERESTING PRESENTATIONS LORD ARTHUR GROSVENOR'S PRAISE

Farndon, not content with the warm welcome she gave her gallant Yeomen on their return from the war last week, on Wednesday evening further testified her appreciation of their services by presenting five of them with silver demi-hunter , and the sixth with a handsome cup. The names of the young fellows who were thus honoured are Lance-Corporal R. A. Owen, Privates Gilbert and Robert Parry, Robert Thelwall (21st Company), George Edge (77th Company), and Roland Ince (38th Company of Imperial Yeomanry). The arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by a committee, consisting of the following, which found the residents in the district most anxious to subscribe to the fund: Mr. George Parker (Marsh House), the Revs. L. E. Owen and L. M. Davies, Mr. Harry Barnston, Mr. Gilbert Parry, Dr. Parker, Messrs. W. Jackson, McKindlay, George Harding, Thos. Jones (Rose Villa), George Parker jun., Joseph Salmon, Frank Bellis, Edwin Bellis, John Bellis (Churton), Thomas Powdrell, J. Fleet, J. Jones, George Ince, F. Grange, W. Harrison, Meredith (hon. treasurer), and Pennington (hon. secretary).

Shortly after six o'clock on Wednesday evening, the Yeomen assembled at the Rectory, accompanied by Private Sinclair, another member of the 21st Company, and, escorted by the Farndon Band, they marched through the village, where suitable mottoes and bunting were displayed, to a field, where tea was served in a marquee. Mr. George Parker presided, and the company included Major Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Lady Lettice Grosvenor, Mr. Glynn, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Norris and Miss Roberts, Mrs. Mills, most of the members of the committee, and practically the whole village. The Yeomen, wearing their , sat at a table at the end of the tent. The toast of "The King" having been loyally pledged on the call of the Chairman Mr. McKindlay proposed "The Health of the Returned Members of the 21st, 38th and 77th Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry." He remarked that they went out when things were at their blackest for the British cause in South Africa, and they left home, kindred, and all who were dear to them, to help their country in its direst need. For that he said all honour to them. (Cheers.) They who were at home had followed each move in South Africa with the greatest anxiety, and had anxiously looked forward to the letters from their loved ones so far away. The Yeomanry had endured the hardships of the campaign and had cheerfully taken the rough with the smooth as if to the manner born, having proved themselves men in the highest acceptation of the word. (Cheers.) That parish meeting was held to welcome them safe and sound back after their many vicissitudes. (Hear, hear.) He hoped they would be spared for many years to come bear their blushing honours thick upon them. (Cheers.)

Lord Arthur Grosvenor, whose name was coupled with the toast, in responding, feared he could not say much about the war, because he came home earlier than he intended to, and he was sure the gentlemen in the khaki uniform could tell them a great deal more than he could*. The three companies to which the returned Yeomen belonged had, he was convinced all done their duty nobly and well (Cheers.) The whole time he was out in South Africa they went through a great many hardships, and he never heard a single grumble at all, the harder they had to work the more they liked it, the harder it came on to rain, the more they liked it, except at certain times. (Laughter.) On one occasion it rained for two nights and a day, and they were rather uncomfortable. They could not light a fire as they had no fuel and their supper was one little sardine and a ration biscuit, which was a very good thing but it took a good deal of gnawing. The next day they had to start on patrol duty, galloping on the side of a mountain. Describing the inconvenience caused by the sand, he said after rain it was just like the sand on the beach at Bournemouth or Blackpool, and the horses sometimes sank without any warning into the sand, the men and the horses turning over amid great laughter. He thought it was very lucky they were not attacked that night, because the sand had got into their rifles. They had very little sickness. At first they suffered from acute thirst, and drank buckets of coffee, which was not bad, although it might have been better (Iaughter) and the water was similar only a little worse. When they had gone a little way they got acclimatised, and did not want to touch a drop of drink. On the march to Kaaree Kloof they left some of the men of the 21st Company behind, they having been taken slightly ill. One of them was Mr. Robert Owen, and it was a piece of luck for him that he was taken ill, because he had not to go into with them for seven months at Upington. He (Mr. Owen) went off on his own hook and fought all the battles. (Laughter and cheers.) The two Misters Parry came along the whole way with them, and he was glad they did, for they were the most splendid and useful set of brothers one could possibly meet anywhere. (Cheers.) Describing the steps they took to fortify Upington by digging trenches, etc., he said the work was most arduous, but the men went about it in the most cheerful way possible. Lord Roberts said the Yeomanry behaved like heroes when they were fighting, and when they were not fighting they behaved like gentlemen - (cheers)- and he (Lord Arthur) could vouch that was so with regard to one company, for they behaved like the most perfect gentlemen one could possibly meet, and did everything they were told to do without flinching. (Renewed cheers.) One night they had the alarm that there was a Boer patrol outside the town, but there had been some mistake in the signalling. The Yeomanry prepared to receive them, and were rather disgusted that they did not come. It was a feather in their cap that the rebellion on the west side was put down with only one fight.

There was no excitement at Upington after the battle of Kheis, where the enemy were defeated, the British losing three officers. Major Orr-Ewing was killed, Captain Jones was wounded, and the doctor to the regiment was shot through the leg. Alluding to the care bestowed by the men on their horses, he said they became absolutely devoted to them. At he parted with the company and went into hospital at , thinking he should be back in two days, but it was not to be so, and he came home. He thought the Cheshire Companies had done very well under Captain Rennie and Captain Daniels. (Hear, hear.) They trekked after De Wet, and he believed nearly caught him. Once they trekked 500 miles and lost only five horses. Colonel Thorneycroft, one of the smartest officers out there, whom they were with, gave them great praise. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he thanked them very much on behalf of the men who were there.

The Rev. L. E. Owen asked them to show their appreciation of the ladies and gentlemen who had come there as visitors. He had a letter in his hand from Lady Grosvenor, in which she regretted that she was unable to be there, but they had the pleasure of entertaining her daughter, Lady Lettice Grosvenor. (Cheers.) He should like to express regret at the absence of their young squire (Lieut. Barnston), who was not able to be present because he was entertaining some friends in London. Mr. Barnston was very sorry indeed that he was not able to be with them. He should like to mention that Mr. Barnston had done an enormous amount of work since the Yeomanry went out, and had done a great deal to form the drafts which had gone out to fill the places of the men who had come home.

The Rev. Morris Jones responded. On the proposition of the Rev. L. M. Davies, seconded by Canon Royds, the health of the chairman was cordially pledged. Lady Lettice Grosvenor then gracefully made the presentations to the Yeomen, who were loudly cheered.

Private Gilbert Parry returned thanks on behalf of his comrades and himself for the handsome presents, which he assured them they would value all their lives. He also thanked them for the very hearty-reception they gave them on their return home. He did not think any Yeomen had had a better reception than that accorded them when they came back to the old village. (Cheers.) Some relics brought back by Lord Arthur from South Africa were afterwards inspected, and the remainder of the evening was given up to dancing. Chester Courant, 3

[*Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, GCVO, DSO (1879 –1953) was a British landowner, one of the wealthiest men in the world, and resided at Eaton Hall on the west bank of the Dee between Farndon and Chester. As a young boy he had been tutored by Reverend Owen. Lord Grosvenor had taken a commission with the and was in South Africa serving in the Second Boer War, when in December 1899 he succeeded his grandfather (the 1st Duke). After a brief visit back home, he returned in February 1900 to serve with the Imperial Yeomanry, as an ADC to Lord Roberts and Lord Milner. He resigned his commission in , and was appointed Captain of the Cheshire (Earl of Chester´s) Imperial Yeomanry the following month.]

For Robert Owen, he was not content to return to the quiet village life in Farndon. Now with promotion to officer class, his options would now be much broader. The news was reported locally,

FARNDON NEWS COMMISSION FOR A TROOPER We are pleased to hear that Mr. Robert A. Owen, who went out for the second time as a Private in the Imperial Yeomanry to South Africa, has been given a commission in the 118th Company. He has lately been serving with the relieving force under General Callwell to Ookiep. Chester Courant, 28

FARNDON NEWS MR. ROBERT OWEN'S SUCCESS

The news that Mr. Robert A. Owen, son of the Vicar of Farndon, has been given a commission in the 118th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, will be received with gratification by the members of the old 21st Company, with whom Mr. Owen is deservedly popular. When Mr. Owen went out originally with the 21st Company, he had a slight touch of illness, which proved rather fortunate, for it prevented him from undergoing duty at Upington, and enabled him to see plenty of fighting. Together with Private Sinclair, of the same company, he was attached to the Suffolk , the 9th Stafford Mounted Infantry, and finally the 1st . Mr. Owen is a promising young soldier and his career will be followed with interest.

Chester Courant 4

Three months later he was home again, and once more his presence was reported in the local press,

FARNDON WELCOME HOME Lieut. Robert A. Owen, 118th Company, 25th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, returned to his home at Farndon from service in South Africa on Thursday week. The Church bells rang a merry peal in his honour. Cheshire Observer, 13 Sep 1902

His life as an officer was short lived. The war was at an end and he had decided not to carry on with his life in the military. Yet his taste for travel was unabated, and no doubt through his new connections he had secured a position out in Burma, leaving just three months later in December 1902,

ROBERT OWEN Mr. Robert A. Owen, of Farndon, who was a Lieutenant in the Imperial Yeomanry, and served twice in South Africa, sailed on Thursday in the steamship Shropshire for Rangoon and Upper Burmah, where he has a civil appointment. Cheshire Observer, 6 December 1902

Robert continued to live and work for the same company dealing in teak and timber out in Burma for the next few years, until the following dreadful news was received,

FARNDON AND HOLT NEWS DEATH OF MR. ROBERT A. OWEN

We regret to announce that a cable has arrived from Upper Burmah, stating that Mr.Robert A. Owen, of the Bombay and Burmah Trading Company, died at Kalowa on the 5th August from the effects of blackwater fever, aged 26. Mr. Owen served through the Boer war, gained two medals and four Clasps, and received a commission. He was educated at Ropall, and subsequently at Lairds, Birkenhead. His host of friends in this country will receive the news with much sorrow, while sincerest sympathy will be extended to his family. Cheshire Observer, 12 August 1905

MEMORIAL SERVICE An impressive service to the memory of the late Mr. Robert A. Owen, eldest son of the Rector, was held in the parish church on Sunday evening. Special hymns were sung, the latter portion of the burial service was read during prayers, and Mr. Pennington the organist, played as voluntaries "Blessed are the departed and Rest in the Lord." The Rev. W. Sparling, of Upton, preached from the appropriate text of the resurrection of the widow's son. A crowded congregation testified to the sorrow and sympathy felt by the inhabitants for the Rev. L. E. Owen and family. It will be remembered that Mr. Owen died in Upper Burma a week before his parents heard the tragic news. Cheshire Observer, 19 August 1905

The family had lost their second child in six years. Robert had gone through the dangers and hardship of the Boer War, only to lose his life back in civilian life at the age of only twenty-six to fever.

[Blackwater Fever is a complication of malaria in which red blood cells burst in the bloodstream (hemolysis), releasing hemoglobin directly into the blood vessels and into the urine, frequently leading to kidney failure].

The following year a memorial dedicated to Robert Owen was unveiled in St Chad’s Farndon,

RUSHBEARING SUNDAY Sunday last was what is locally known as "Rush-Bearing Sunday" and is observed by parishioners in the ancient custom of decorating the graves with rushes and flowers, in addition to the usual three services, a fourth was held at three p.m., when a memorial tablet was unveiled by the Rev. the Hon. A. H. Parker, rural dean of Malpas. The tablet is of alabaster, with green marble border, the lettering of crimson and , with touches of gilt in the carved work. The design has been beautifully carried out by Mr. Sewell, of Grosvenor Street, Chester. The inscription is ‘To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Robert Arthur OWEN, eldest son of Rev. L. E. Owen, rector of this parish, Born at Farndon 4 March 1879 died of fever at Kalewa, Upper Burmah 5th August, 1905 aged 26 years. During the Boer War in S. Africa, 1900-1902 he served first as trooper and subsequently as lieutenant in the Imperial Yeomanry, gaining two medals. This tablet was erected by many friends. Cheshire Observer, 21 July 1906

Left: Cheshire Observer , 22 June 1901

Below: High Street Farndon c.1905

Looking back up the hill from opposite Church Lane

Above: Chester Courant, 4 June 1902

Left: Kalewa is shown near the border between Burma and India

Below: Cheshire Observer, 6 December 1902

Above: Cheshire Observer , 12 August 1905

Below: The memorial tablet, St.Chad’s, Farndon Canon Lewis Edward Owen

This was still a time, especially in rural England, that clergymen of strong character had a significant effect and influence on the lives of their flocks. Lewis Owen was a ubiquitous figure in the community and not just in his own village. He sat on committees, attended court cases, and was a confidant of the Westminsters of Eaton Hall, with whom he frequently rubbed shoulders with, as well as the local squire in Farndon Parish, Henry Barnston of Crewe Hall, running him a close second as the most important figure in the Parish. He later became a keen local historian and was one of the earliest contributors to the Cheshire Sheaf for which he continued to write until 1902. He was a typical incumbent of the period who delved in to village history and made copious notes hoping one day to put together a more lasting volume. He may not have achieved it in his lifetime, but the local team of researchers who published their community history in the early 1980s relied heavily on his extant research files.

For the older residents who still remembered him when that original history was produced , he was variously described as kindly and courageous, buoyant and persevering, eloquent and witty. In his young days he was devoted to athletics and outward bound, being a great supporter of all youth activities and healthy exercises. He was one of the finest cricketers in the district and while at Oxford was a member of his college rowing eight and even hunted a pack of beagles. He was also a keen swimmer and fly fisher. In the village he was a constant supporter of the Shepherd's Club and the brass band, and even started a rifle club which had regular matches against the auld enemy across the bridge in Holt.

He could be quite outspoken, especially against non-conformists, and would have been willing to prevent the building of the village Congregational Church if this had been possible. The local chapels at Crewe-by-Farndon, Churton and Barton also came in for criticism. At times, he even seemed to lose patience with his own congregation whom he described as 'low church'. His notes are full of such comments as 'Not much real Christian feeling. People are very difficult to persuade to leave their ordinary routine'. He thought the wardens were excellent although they 'didn't fulfil their duties in putting people in the proper seats'. Sunday School, he thought a 'weary duty—plenty of children but few teachers'. The vestry, he said, was 'nothing better than an apology', and, regarding the offertories, he complained that 'the poor give well but NOT the farmers and the middle-classes'.

In July 1901 he wrote in his diary, ‘The scenes on Sunday afternoon and evening are disgraceful owing to the hundreds of trippers and the strawberry pickers - the language, particularly of women, is fearful. All has its origin in the open Public Houses.’ He had a particular issue with the local hostelries, especially ‘The Greyhound’ on the High Street, and had various run-ins, even turning up to the local Petty Sessions court to object about the renewal of their licence. The influx of the strawberry pickers, while of great benefit to the local economy and essential to the harvest, brought its own set of anti-social problems every year, disrupting the quiet rural idyll, all clearly at odds with Reverend Owen’s temperance sensibilities.

After the death of his son, Reverend Owen began to suffer with his health and often had to miss church services and meetings. He finally succumbed and died at home on 28 August 1909, and was buried in the churchyard. He was aged sixty-six, and was survived by his widow and three sons. As well as the news being reported locally, it even reached the press in South Wales.

The Rev. Lewis Edward Owen, aged sixty-one, for thirty-one years Rector of Farndon, near Chester, died suddenly on Saturday at the rectory. He had had his bath and dressed ready for breakfast when he collapsed and expired. Glamorgan Gazette, 3 Sept 1909

In addition to the loss of her husband, such was the nature of his job that his widow Alice would also lose her home of thirty years, and the role in community life she had performed for so long. She now had to give up the Rectory, and she retired from the role of the vicar’s wife, giving up all her ties to Farndon, and moved with son Oliver to a cottage in the village of Eccleston on the opposite side of the Dee on the Westminster Estate (possibly provided by the Duke).

Census 1911 Eccleston Cottage, Eccleston, near Chester

Oliver Aldridge Owen

While living in Eccleston Cottage, Oliver was now working as a Land Agent’s assistant, probably based in Chester, but in he was also in the territorials and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the 8th (The Argyllshire) Battalion, Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment. When the war came, he continued with the same Regiment and travelled to Dunoon in Argyll, when they had been called up on .

The 1/8th (The Argyllshire) Battalion , was part of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Brigade of the Highland Division. The Division was moved to Bedford later in August to complete training before embarkation to France in May 1915. They were soon to be involved in the Battle of Festubert, and the Second Action of Givenchy.

Meanwhile the 1/9th were being trained and equipped in preparation for their departure to France. On the night of 19/20 February 1915 the Battalion sailed to Le Harve, and was soon engaged in the Ypres Salient, attached to the 81st Brigade, 27th Division. On 10 March 1915, the Battalion took its first casualties, with 5 men wounded. Ten days later a Corporal MacKay became the first 9th Argyll to be killed in action. For the first two months of their posting in Ypres, the 9th’s casualties were relatively light, but now it was their turn to suffer. It is likely that it was at this stage that Captain Owen was transferred from the 1/8 to the 1/9 in the moves to replace men who had been lost.

From the 10th to the 17/18 May 1915, the 1/9 Battalion took part in fierce fighting and had to bear heavy German bombardment. On 10 May, losses amounted to 12 officers and 300 men, including the C.O. Colonel Clark. The losses continued to mount. On 24 May the Battalion was ordered forward to support the , but they were overwhelmed by a terrible gas attack and were forced to withdraw. After they regrouped, the mustered strength totalled just 2 officers and 85 men.

The losses were so bad that month, that the depleted 1/9 were instructed to amalgamate with the 7th Battalion, who had also suffered heavy losses, under the title ‘The Composite Battalion of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders’ at the end of May 1915.

A Company of the 9th Argylls Advancing Under Heavy Fire to Reinforce the 2nd Camerons during the Second Battle of Ypres

Trench maps showing the positions of British troops and enemy lines. th The position of the 9 Argyll and Sutherlands at the start of the battle is marked to the bottom left on the map above as 9/A & S.H.

An article written a short time afterwards was published in Hutchison’s Deed to Thrill an in 1916, stylised to appeal to its readership, which covered the attacks involving the 9ths,

How Major George James Christie, of the 9th Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders (T.F.), Won The D.S.O. At The Second Battle Of Ypres. During the night of May 9th-10th 1915, a draft of thirty men belonging to the 9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (T.F.), all burning to take their share in the great battle which had been in progress for nearly three weeks, joined their battalion, which was occupying dugouts in the Zouave Wood near Hooge. At dawn the new arrivals were allocated; before midday they were fighting for their lives; and when evening came only two of them were fit for service. For that day was a terrible ordeal for those gallant Territorial.

Early in the morning the German began a heavy bombardment of the British trenches on either side of the Ypres-Menin Road, which in places were soon almost demolished, and the bombardment was followed up by an attack under cover of gas. Between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. the 9th Argyll's were ordered to reinforce the 2ns Cameron's with two companies, and "A" Company and "D" Company were accordingly dispatched, under the command of Major Christie. Through a terrific shellfire, Major Christie led his men to a position astride the Menin Road, two hundred yards west of Hooge, where the Cameron headquarters were. Here they dug themselves in, while the major went forward for further orders.

At 9.30 he was ordered to lead one company forward to reinforce a trench south of the Menin Road, and between it and the Sanctuary Wood, which was reported to be breaking. "A" Company, being stationed on the south side of the road, was chosen, and advanced in short rushes, with cries of "Good old 9th Argyll's!" The advance lay over a bare slope right to the ridge opposite Chateau Hooge, without a ditch, or hedge even, to afford cover from view, and was accomplished under a most murderous fire. But though comrades were falling to right and left of him, not one of those brave Scotsmen wavered, but only became the keener to come to close grips with the Huns. They were only just in time, for the gas, on top of the terrible shelling, had been more than flesh and blood could endure. The trench, which they had come to save, had broken, and the men were falling back. At sight of the Argyll's, however, they raised a cheer, and passing through them, the Territorial dashed into the trench, bayoneted or chased out those Germans who had already gained a footing there, and, setting up their machine guns, began to mow down the advancing enemy with them and rifle fire. The Huns, astonished at this unexpected resistance, fell back in confusion, and the Argyll's and Cameron's, having done what they could to repair the damage done to the trench by the enemy's shellfire, awaited developments.

Presently they saw, to their astonishment, a strong force of men in Cameron kilts, advancing through the Bellewarde Wood, north of the Menin Road, toward the trenches occupied by the 91st. Uncertain as to whether they were British or Germans, they refrained from firing, until volley upon volley from the trenches of the 91st told them they were the enemy in disguise.

Meanwhile "B" and "C" Companies of the 9th Argyll's had advanced from Zouave Wood to the trenches, which Major Christie's men had dug near the Menin Road. On the way, their gallant and much loved Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, and shells killed another officer. Major Christie, who had hurried back to report the new attack, dispatched "D" Company to reinforce the 91st; but, notwithstanding the assistance of the Territorial, the latter were driven from their trenches by the determine attacks of the kilted Germans. The 9th Argyll's and 2nd Cameron's, though now exposed to an enfilading fire from north of the Menin Road, gallantly held their trenches against every attack, until night fell, and piles of corpses beyond their entanglements bore eloquent testimony to the deadly work of their machine guns and rifles. They had themselves lost heavily, however. Among the slain was Colonel Campbell, commanding the Cameron's, who was killed by a shell, which had landed right in the middle of a machine gun team, who work he was directing. At 2 a.m. relief arrived, and Major Christie, whom the death of Colonel Clark had left in command of the 9th Argyll's, led his sorely tried men back to their dugouts in Zouave Wood.

In that and the previous days fighting the battalion had had twelve and some three hundred men killed and wounded. Thee losses were considerably increased during the next two days, May 11th and 12th, when, their position having been located by a captive kite sent up by the enemy, the wood was raked by a terrific shelling, which seemed to search every yard of it. Major Christie's own dugout was twice blown in, but, happily, he escaped without injury. When the shelling creased, hardly a tree of that wood remained standing; all was a jumble of broken timber and undergrowth, beneath which lay dead men, broken rifles and equipment, and torn sandbag. On the 16th the 9th Argyll's were sent to the rest camp at Poperinghe. But they were not permitted to enjoy even so much as one whole day's rest, as, scarcely had they arrived, when orders came to join the 10th Brigade at La Brique. Just after dawn on May 24th, while they were occupying the support trenches northeast of Saint-Jean, the enemy started bombarding our front with asphyxiating shells and immediately afterwards gas was released from the cylinders against the whole three miles of front from Shelltrap Farm to the Bellewaarde Lake. After the gas came a violent bombardment from north, northeast and east.

Seeing that the troops in the first line trenches were beginning to give way, Major Christie at once resolved to repeat that dash to the rescue, which had saved the Cameron's trench at Hooge a fortnight before, and having adjusted their respirators, the territorial doubled across the shell swept ground which lay between them and the fire trenches. The sight which met their eyes as they reached them was terrible, for maimed and gassed men were lying everywhere. But they lost no time getting to work, and, lining the broken parapet, opened a withering fire on the advancing Germans. The enemy fell back, but soon it became apparent that their artillery was concentrating on that particular trench, while, though the German infantry fell in heaps before our fire, they continued to advance in ever increasing numbers. Major Christie saw that, if the trench was to be held, more men must be found to replace those whom we were losing every minute. As all communication with the rear had been cut, he left one of his officers in charge, and ran back to the support trench, in search of stragglers. He found a few odd lots of the Dublin Fusiliers and of his own battalion and rushed them forward. But still there were not sufficient rifles to line the parapet, so out into the fire swept open went the major again, searching for men-men with rifles. In a small isolated trench he found another odd lot, gassed and half dazed, but, though for the moment the poor fellows could be of little use, they had rifles, and, pouncing upon them, he was leading them forward, when he was hit in the leg by a piece of shell and fell to the ground. But the odd lot he was leading went on and reached the trench, and it seems to have been largely through the assistance rendered by them that the German hordes were held off until relief arrived.

Major Christie did what he could for himself with a tourniquet, until Drummer Bell, of the Argyll's came out of the trench to his assistance and after rendering first aid, went away and returned with two men of their battalion carrying a stretcher. Lifting the wounded officer on to this, they set out for the nearest dressing station; but so tremendous was the fire through which they had to pass, that they were obliged several times to stop and take refuge in a ditch or under a hedge. Major Christie begged the men to leave him and look after themselves; but these brave fellows indignantly refused to do, and, though all three were wounded, they managed to stagger on with their load until they reached the dressing station.

Drummer Bell, who repeatedly interposed his own body between his wounded officer and the enemy's fire, was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the French Croix de Guerre. Major Christie, who received the Distinguished Service Order, is a native of the Vale of Leven, and the youngest son of Mr John Christie, of Levenfield, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire, chairman of the United Turkey Red Company, Limited, and its thirty-five years of age. He served for a number of years with the Alexandria and Renton Company of Volunteers, retiring with the rank of honorary major. He is a good shot and won several prizes at the Dumbartonshire Rifle Association meetings at Jamestown. At the outbreak of war he volunteered for service, and went into training with his old regiment at Bedford, proceeding to the front in February 1915. He was immensely popular with the 9th Argyll's, alike for his dauntless courage and his solicitude for their comfort, and it is indeed regrettable that the injuries he received will prevent him from leading them again.

Extracted from 'Deeds That Thrill The Empire' (1916)

At least twenty six men of the 9ths did not return, and were recorded as missing in action. All are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing as having no known grave. It was in this action into 24 May 1915 that Captain Owen was also initially recorded as missing but he had been captured as a prisoner of war and taken into Germany to Gutersloh in Westphalia.

Situated in a pine wood , Gutersloh camp consisted of brick buildings, originally built as a sanatorium, but never used as such, and had a large exercise ground for sports such as football, hockey and tennis. This was a camp mainly reserved for officers and living conditions for officers were often less harsh than those endured by troops. The majority like Gutersloh, were usually located in requisitioned buildings, such as castles, barracks or hotels, rather than in compounds of tents and huts. Officers had a higher allocation of space per man than other ranks, they had beds instead of straw-filled palliasses, specific rooms Argyll and Sutherland were fitted out for their meals, and they were exempt from labour. Nor were Officer Review Order officers held in camps in East Prussia where the weather conditions were often 1914 by Haswell Miller far worse than in the rest of Germany. The tedium of captivity was relieved by sport, amateur concerts and plays, lectures, debates, and reading.

Prisoner of War index reference card

These cards were established in Geneva by the Prisoners of War International Agency, for each person registered in the lists that the Agency received from the belligerents countries.

The references numbers relate to the registered lists, examples of which are also illustrated.

Prisoner of War Register Gutersloh officers camp (ref PA 9658 on the index card)

Prisoner of War Register

Left: Gutersloh officers camp (ref PA 17032 on the index card)

Below: Strohen officers camp after his move on 1 December 1917 (ref PA 18951 on the index card)

As the result of an agreement reached in 1916 between the British and German governments, British officers were even allowed to go for walks in groups outside the camp, provided they signed a document giving their word of honour not to attempt escape. In addition to the officers, there were also a smaller number of other ranks of prisoners known as orderlies, whose role was to act as servants to the officers and to perform menial tasks around the camp. Orderlies appreciated that their situation was safer and more comfortable than that of their counterparts in soldiers' camps, and so, even when offered the opportunity, they generally did not try to escape, knowing that if recaptured they would be sent to far worse conditions.

On 1 December 1917 Captain Owen was moved to another camp north eastwards, to Strohen in Hanover, where he remained until the Armistice. After his repatriation and discharge, his engagement to Katherine Maude Swetenham of Christleton near Chester was announced on 6 June 1919, and they married seven months later on 8 January 1920.

Prisoners of War The painting above show the capture of British troops with Scottish soldiers at the front, although this is of the early stage in the war late August 1914.

Below: Scottish soldiers arriving at a p.o.w. camp by train.

Prisoners of War

Above: Group of officers in charge of parcels Guttersloh on 25 February 1916 – with a Scottish officer on the right – men who were there the same time as Captain Owen

Below: Scottish soldiers at a troop p.o.w. camp

Prisoners of War Letter Letter written by the King sent to all returning prisoners of war

Oliver and Katherine Owen relocated to Snape Castle, Bedale, in Yorkshire, where Oliver set up his own business, continuing his practice as a land agent.

This was a house with an interesting past. Catherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII, lived at Snape Castle for almost a decade after marrying her second husband John Neville, the third Lord Latimer, in 1534. Her first marriage, to Edward Borough, had ended with his death in 1533 - and she became a widow again when Lord Latimer died in 1542. She then left Snape Castle and became King Henry VIII's sixth wife the following year. In the course of the early nineteenth century the Milbank family divided the remaining wing of Snape into two complete houses and, in the mid-twentieth century, the west end was sold, and from then until quite recently, the castle remained in two ownerships. In 2003 the east end, the castle farm, was purchased by the owner of the west end and the castle was restored to a single ownership. The last occupant before Oliver moved in was Lieutenant Colonel Charles Wynn Tilly, of the 18th , attached to the 15th West , who died on the Ypres Salient on 14 April 1918, aged 41, and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, . It would be intriguing to think that they may have met during the war and discussed Snape Castle.

Oliver and Katherine’s daughter Pamela was born in 1923, not long after they had settled in Snape. This was to be Oliver’s permanent home as continued to live and work there. He passed away in Bedale on 15 February 1961 aged seventy-one.

Christopher Owen

After leaving his boarding school and returning home to Farndon, Christopher made the decision around 1907 to move to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to work on a tea plantation. He may, of course, have been influenced by his older brother, of his stories of South Africa and Burma. He found a position with the Ceylon Tea Company based on the Brookside Estate near Brookside Station and by 1912 he was the assistant manager. He also enlisted with the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps which was a regiment of the , formed in 1900. It was a volunteer (reserve) regiment based in Kandy, made up of only Europeans, who were tea and rubber planters of the hills of Sri Lanka mobilised to respond to internal emergencies or for deployments overseas. Already the regiment had deployed personnel to fight in the Second Boer War, and would do again in the First World War.

1901 Census - Stratheden House School Christopher Owen aged 14 and his brother Oliver Owen aged 11.

Brookside Plantation Brookside Estate, near Ragala, Kandy

Sorting the leaf in the field Workers carrying tea chests

During the First World War, the regiment sent a force of eight officers and 229 other ranks under the command of Major J. Hall Brown. The unit sailed for Egypt on , and was initially deployed in defence of the Suez Canal. Lance Corporal 2008 Christopher Owen was with this contingent - his medal card shows he entered the war in Egypt on 17 November 1914 and was awarded the 1915 Star for service.

The unit was later transferred to the Australian and Army Corps (ANZAC) and in mid- 1915 was committed to the Gallipoli Campaign, landing at to Anzac Cove ('Z' Beach) on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The CPRC also performed operational duties as providing guards to ANZAC headquarter staff, including the General Officer Commanding ANZAC, Lieutenant General , who remarked, "I have an excellent guard of Ceylon Planters who are such a nice lot of fellows." According to its onetime commanding officer, Colonel T.Y. Wright (1904–1912), the CPRC sustained overall losses of 80 killed and 99 wounded in the First World War. [Christopher Owen was posted to Gallipoli, but his war record (WO 339/3147) is held at the National Records Office in Kew and will be consulted in due course, which will, no doubt, throw more light on his service in the First World War].

He was commissioned as an officer and was also transferred to the 8th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers later in 1915, who were in Gallipoli the same time as the Ceylon Planters Rifles. This was a regiment close to Farndon as it had been formed in Wrexham at the start of the war as part of Kitchener's First New Army. They were assigned to 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain for initial training before moving to Chiseldon and Cirencester in , where it stayed in winter billets. They were there into the new year when at the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire until order came to move abroad.

th Position of the 8 Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers in the failed attack on Kut in which Lieutenant Christopher Owen was severely wounded They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13 June 1915, landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros by the 4 July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16 July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5 August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19/20 of December 1915, and after a week’s rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during the last Turkish attacks at Helles on 7 January 1916, and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th.

The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12 February 1916, they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27 March and were in action in the unsuccessful attempts to relieve Kut. It was while attempting to cross the Tigris above Kut in this action that Lieutenant Owen was wounded. The incident was given a brief mention in the regimental history of the 8th Battalion R.W.F.

Dudley-Ward, Major C.H., Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Vol IV (1915-1919) (Turkey) (1929) p.69.

Following this, they were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The Passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined ‘Marshall's Column’ and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28 May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

The injury to Captain Christopher Owen, however, was so severe that it resulted in him losing his leg. The report of his brother Godfrey’s death in 1918 suggests Christopher returned to Chester ‘some time ago’, so he may have returned home to recover from his injuries in 1916. The award of a silver war badge on his medal card acknowledges his injury.

At the end of the war, Captain Owen returned to his life in Ceylon, and became manager of the plantation between 1920 and 1930. He married and had two children, returning home occasionally for visits, until he returned permanently with his wife in 1948 to take up retirement.

Captain Owen returning to England on the Christiaan- Huygens (left) in 1936 with his wife, young son Christopher and maid-servant for a six-month visit.

Medal Index Card Showing the Service Medals awarded to Captain Christopher Owen – 1914-15 Star, British Medal, Victory Medal, also shows his transfer to the R.W.F., date entered the war in Egypt, award of the Silver War Badge, and his address on the tea plantation in Ceylon.

Above: Service Medals awarded to Captain Christopher Owen – 1914-15 Star, British Medal, Victory Medal. Left: Silver War Badge – also recorded on the medal card, as being awarded for his wounds in action Below: Royal Welch Fusiliers Medal Rolls

Godfrey Felix Owen

Younger brother Godfrey, meanwhile, had moved to college in Aspatria, Cumberland, by the time he was eighteen in 1901, where he had enrolled in the local Agricultural college. Shortly after completing his course he emigrated to South Africa, for reasons that are unclear. It is possible he was intent on emulating his brother Robert, and his friends in the village, who had also gone to fight in the Second Boer War (1899-1902). He may not have been able to enlist at home, and went with determination to enlist when he got there. Or had his head been turned by Robert about what the country was like and how there were plenty of opportunities for young men, especially one with an Agricultural college qualification? Whatever the reason, when he arrived in Natal he joined the South African Defence Corps and served firstly in the Natal Mounted Police and afterwards in the South African Mounted Rifles, suggesting it was the militaristic aspects that had attracted him, and as the war was over, this could be a consolation.

[Natal is positioned on the Indian Ocean coast of , just northeast of the Cape Colony. Home to the indigenous Nguni and later the Zulu, the region of Natal played a key role in European colonisation. First called the , the territory was set up in 1839, by Boer Voortrekkers on their "", fleeing the Cape English. When the British established the colony four years later– as a strategic land gain – the border was extended to the Tugela and Buffalo Rivers. In 1897, Zululand, to the north, was annexed into the independent (as of 1856) region. The land became part of the Union in 1910. It is now known as Kwazulu- Natal, a province of South Africa].

The most serious action involving the Natal Mounted Police at this time took place in a skirmish with the Boers in Zululand on 28 , but in that month Godfrey was still in college and probably didn’t leave until the end of that summer term. Their next significant action – and one that did involve Godfrey - was the Zulu Uprising of 1906, the last major act of indigenous resistance to colonial rule in South Africa. The spark that set off this conflict was the murder of two Natal Policemen near Richmond on 8 February that year.

The uprising was a Zulu revolt against British rule and taxation in Natal and led by Bambatha kaMancinza , leader of the amaZondi clan of the Zulu people, who lived in the Mpanza Valley, a district near Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal.

After the Boer War, British employers in Natal had difficulty recruiting black farm workers because of increased competition from the gold mines of the . The colonial authorities introduced a £1 poll tax in addition to the existing hut tax to encourage Zulu men to enter the labour market. Bambatha, who ruled about 5,500 people living in about 1,100 households, was one of the chiefs who resisted the introduction and collection of the new tax.

The government of Natal sent police officers to collect the tax from recalcitrant districts, and in February 1906 two British officers were killed near Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal. In the resulting introduction of martial law, Bambatha fled north to consult King Dinizulu, who gave tacit support to Bambatha and invited him and his family to stay at the royal homestead. When he returned home to the Mpanza Valley, the Natal government had deposed him as chief. He gathered together a small force of supporters and began launching a series of guerrilla attacks, using the Nkandla forest as a base. Following a series of initial successes, colonial troops under the command of Colonel Duncan McKenzie set out on an expedition in late April 1906.

The uprising came to a conclusion once they had surrounded the rebels at Mome Gorge. The British victory in the unequal battle was inevitable, given the vast disparity of forces. As the sun rose, colonial soldiers opened fire with machine guns and cannon, on rebels mostly armed only with traditional assegais (spears), knobkerries (fighting sticks) and cowhide shields.

Bambatha was killed and beheaded during the battle; however, many of his supporters believed that he was still alive, and his wife refused to go into mourning. InKosi Bhambatha kaMancinza at a wedding ceremony in 1905 Considering the aim of the tax in the first place this war cost the Natal government the equivalent of £370,000,000 today. More significantly, between 3,000 and 4,000 Zulus were killed during the revolt (some of whom died fighting on the side of the Natal government). More than 7,000 were imprisoned, and 4,000 flogged. King Dinizulu was arrested and sentenced to four years imprisonment for treason. In stark contrast, six men of Natal Mounted Police were killed in action during this conflict and two were awarded the DCM.

Gandhi, who was in South Africa at the time, also played a role in this encouraging Indians to fight with forces, as it would help them gain citizenship and improve their rights. A role at odds with his later fight to end colonial rule in his own country.

Although the uprising ended in complete political and military victory for the colonial regime, it has latterly come to be seen as an early moral victory for the forces of liberation.

Service medal awarded to those involved in the uprising of 1906 Two years later in 1908, Godfrey returned home to pay a visit to his family in Farndon, also no doubt concerned about the ailing health of his father. While he was home, he gave a talk to the villagers about his experiences in the Mounted Police, and on his departure he was given a special send-off that was even reported in the local press, FARNDON NEWS RESIDENT FOR NATAL

A very pleasant social was held on Friday evening in the Schools, the occasion being a farewell send-off to Mr. Godfrey Owen, son of the Rector, who is shortly leaving for Natal. The popularity of Mr. Godfrey Owen caused friends to assemble from all parts of the county to wish him God-speed on his long journey. The programme was as follows: - Dance, ; song, "Egypt," Mr. G. F. Owen; waltz; violin solo, Miss E. Parker; polka; song and guitar accompaniment, "The old umbrella," Misses Smith and Butler; barn dance; cornet solo, Mr. T. Wooley; lancers; song, "Down the vale," Mr. W. Watts; waltz; gramophone selection, Mr. L. Salmon; barn dance; song, Mr. W. Ince; lancers. The two songs by Mr. Webster Watts were highly appreciated, as were the violin solos by Miss Edith Parker, and the songs, with guitar accompaniment, by Miss Smith. For the dancing excellent music was provided by Mr. Williams (Chester). The duties of M.C.'s were carried out by Messrs. Haswell, Owen and Parker. The entertainment concluded shortly after 2 a.m., and Mr. H. Nash (Northwich) proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. P. G. Haswell, Mr. Godfrey Owen and the committee of ladies for their services. The proceeds, which amounted to £6 6.3d, have been presented by Mr. Godfrey Owen to Clutton schools. Cheshire Observer, 31 October 1908 Even in sleepy Farndon they can go on rocking into the early hours.

After the unification of South Africa in 1910, the days of the Colonial police forces were numbered. During 1911, it was decided to reorganize the police forces of the newly formed on the lines of that used in the former Cape Colony. With effect from 1 April 1913, two police forces were formed within the Union of South Africa; the – the new regular police force, plus the South African Mounted Rifles (SAMR) which was formed by the amalgamation of the , Cape Mounted Rifles, Natal Police and Transvaal Police. This was to be the first Permanent Force of military constabulary, which in peacetime was to undertake policing duties in areas mainly occupied by the Black population and comprised five regiments based around the Union. Godfrey’s unit, the 4th Battalion, were based in . When the war started in 1914, the South African government chose to join the war on the side of the Allies. Prime Minister General , faced widespread Afrikaner opposition to fighting alongside Great Britain so soon after the Second Boer War, and had to put down a revolt by some of the more militant elements before he could send an expeditionary force of some 67,000 troops to invade German South-West Africa (now ) – which included the South African Mounted Rifles (SAMR) and Godfrey Owen. The German troops stationed there eventually surrendered to the South African forces in July 1915.

An officer of the South African Mounted Rifles (SAMR)

Map of the South-West Africa Campaign in 1915

South African Mounted Rifles behind barricades of stone and scrub during the German South-West Africa Campaign

The South African Memorial at Delville Wood,on the Somme

[In the aftermath, South Africa occupied the colony and then administered it as a League of Nations mandate territory from 1919. Although the South African government desired to incorporate South-West Africa into its territory, it never officially did so, although it was administered as the de facto 'fifth province', with the white minority having representation in the whites-only Parliament of South Africa].

Meanwhile, on 16 January 1915, the South Africa Magazine announced the marriage on 4 January in Capetown of Godfrey Felix Owen of the South African Mounted Rifles, to Sylvia, daughter of Maynard Mathew, Resident Magistrate of Verulam. They couple made their home in ‘The Residency’ in Ladysmith, Natal.

Following the conclusion of the campaign in South- West Africa, Godfrey also took part in the expedition against indigenous forces in Ovamboland, where the S.A.M.R. had been ordered to quell a native uprising.

In the meantime, an infantry brigade and various other supporting units were shipped to France in order to fight on the Western Front. The most costly action that the South African forces on the Western Front fought in was the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916 – of the 3,000 men from the brigade who entered the wood, only 768 emerged unscathed. However, in the absence of any war record for Godfrey, it is not thought he was involved in this action on the Western Front, and it seems he remained with the Mounted Rifles until August 1918**, when he returned to the UK when he was gazetted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. [**although the sole source for this is the report of his death in the local Chester press]

As an officer, it is likely that he was attached to this battalion for a period of familiarisation, which had become standard practice for South African Officers, as their forces were becoming increasingly involved in the European conflict. This battalion was primarily a training unit, having been raised at the start of war in August 1914 in Clonmel. Within a few days it was posted to Dublin, where they were based for two years. In September 1916, the battalion was moved to Templemore in County Tipperary, but by the end of 1917 they were back at Dublin. In April 1918, they moved out of Ireland for the first time, and moved to England to join the Irish Reserve Brigade at Larkhill Camp (pictured) a few miles south of Coventry, which is probably where Lieutenant 787 Godfrey Owen joined his new unit.

He may have been affected by readjustment to the climate, as he picked up a chill, but he was most likely an early victim of the out-break of influenza which would swiftly become a pandemic. [It infected 500 million people across the world, including remote Pacific islands and the Arctic, and killed 50 to 100 million of them - three to five percent of the world's population - making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history]

As his condition deteriorated, he was moved to the Officers Hospital at Tidworth Camp, Wiltshire, but he was now suffering from pneumonia as well as influenza and he died on 30 October 1918 aged thirty-six, just twelve days before the end of the war. He was buried in the adjoining Tidworth Military Cemetery (grave ref. P.E. 23).

Back home in South Africa, the local paper announced his passing,

Died of pneumonia and influenza, at Officers Hospital Tidworth 30 October 1918; OWEN. – Lieut. Godfrey Felix, second son of late Rev. L.E. OWEN, Vicar of Farden, and Mrs. OWEN, of Eccleston, Chester, England, succumbed to influenza at Tedworth Hospital, on 30th October, 1918, seconded from 4th S.A.M.R., attached to 3rd Royal Irish Rifles (per cablegram). Natal Witness, Tuesday 5 November 1918 [NB. the spellings are verbatim, and he joined the Royal Irish Regiment not the Royal Irish Rifles]

The newspapers at home in Cheshire also reported his death in a little more detail (see over).

For his mother Alice, this must have been a very difficult and lonely last few years of her life, which had once been so lively with her family and village life taking up so much of her time. Her husband Lewis had died in 1909, her eldest son in 1905, and now Godfrey in 1918. Oliver had wife and a career which would take him to Yorkshire and Christopher was on the other side of the world in Ceylon. She passed away in 1921, but no doubt proud of her four sons who had been quick to serve in forces when called upon.

DEATH OF LIEUT. G.F. OWEN A GALLANT FARNDON SOLDIER

We regret to learn of the death of Lieut.Godfrey Felix Owen S.A., Defence Force, attached to the Royal Irish Regiment, which took place from pneumonia at Tidworth, Wilts., on Wednesday at the age of 36 years. Lieut. Owen was the second son of the late Rev. L.E. Owen of Farndon, where he spent his boyhood and of Mrs. Owen Eccleston, Chester. The took place at Tidworth yesterday (Friday). His brother, Captain Owen, who lost a leg in the war, returned to Chester some time ago Another brother is and has been for a considerable time a prisoner of war in Germany. Lieut.Godfrey Felix had had 17 years’ service in the South African Defence Force, first in the Natal Mounted Police and afterwards in the South African Mounted Rifles, and came over to England last August to volunteer for service at the front, and was gazetted to the Royal Irish Regiment. He served in the Boer War, the Zulu Rebellion and the campaign in South-West Africa in 1914-15 under General Botha. He also took part in the expedition against the natives in Ovamboland in 1916. In 1915 he married Sylvia, daughter of Mr Maynard Mathew, Resident Magistrate of Ladysmith. Cheshire Observer, 5 November 1918

Tidworth Military Hospital and Cemetery, Wiltshire, England

Tidworth Military Hospital was built in 1907. It had between 200 to 300 beds.It closed in 1977 even though the Maternity Unit had recently been refurbished. Parts of the hospital remained open as MRS Tidworth (Medical Reception Station).

Tidworth Military Cemetery, which contains burials of both wars, was directly connected with training grounds on, or near, Salisbury Plain. During the First World War, the cemetery was used for burials from Tidworth and Fargo Military Hospitals and the 417 graves, many of them of Australian or New Zealand servicemen, are scattered throughout the cemetery. There are 106 Second World War graves in the cemetery, two substantial groups of which can be found in sections F and D. The rest are scattered. The cemetery also contains 40 war graves of other nationalities, many of them Polish.

Soldier’s Register of Effects, recording to whom war gratuities were to be paid

Medal Card for Lieutenant Godfrey Owen Showing Service Medals (1915 Star, Victory Medal , and British Medal) to be awarded (by the South African authorities). The card also shows his attachment to the Royal Irish Regiment, and also the fact that his young widow had married again by the time the medals were issued in 1922.

Service Medals (1915 Star, Victory Medal, and British Medal)

Memorial Plaque and Scrolls

Farndon War Memorial

Left: the memorial plaque located in the entrance hall in the

adjacent Memorial Hall (top left).

Researched and written

by

Mike Royden

www.roydenhistory.co.uk